085 - London's Bitcoin Bet: Antidote Accelerator Fueling the Next Wave of Innovation

In this episode of Build with Bitcoin, co-hosts Lynne Bairstow and Israel Muñoz welcome Ben Cousens, co-founder of Antidote, a fintech accelerator aimed at fostering Bitcoin innovation in London. Ben shares his journey from investment banking to entrepreneurship, his deep passion for Bitcoin, and the mission behind Antidote.

The conversation explores the regulatory landscape in the UK, the strategic positioning of Antidote within London's fintech ecosystem, and the accelerator's unique approach to supporting startups in the Bitcoin space. Ben Cousens discusses the importance of building a diverse investor base for Bitcoin startups, the opportunities in Bitcoin fintech, and the evolution of micro payments and streaming sats. He emphasizes the need for usability and mass adoption of Bitcoin, as well as the balance between open-source and business models, and offers advice on Bitcoin treasury strategies for startups.

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Chapters
00:00 Intro
06:32 Ben's Journey into Bitcoin
12:44 The Philosophy Behind Antidote
17:54 Regulatory Environment in the UK
22:11 Antidote's Location and Strategic Positioning
24:09 Antidote's Accelerator Program and Services
31:34 Identifying Opportunities in Bitcoin Fintech
35:42 The Evolution of Micro Payments and Streaming Sats
41:52 Usability and Mass Adoption of Bitcoin
46:39 Balancing Open Source with Business Models
49:10 Bitcoin Treasury Strategies for Startups
52:25 Attracting Talent to the Bitcoin Ecosystem

References
https://antidotebtc.com/
https://x.com/AntidoteBTC

https://www.buildwithbitcoin.xyz/
https://x.com/BuildwBitcoin

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❗ DISCLAIMER: This show is for entertainment purposes only. Before making any decisions, consult a professional.